Open AccessDevelopment of Small Fish Robots Powered by Small and Ultra-Light Passive-Type Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Author(s) -
Yogo TAKADA,
Ryosuke Araki,
Yukinobu Nakanishi,
Motohiro ogaki,
Kazuaki Ebita,
Tomoyuki WAKISAKA
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of robotics and mechatronics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 1883-8049
pISSN - 0915-3942
DOI - 10.20965/jrm.2010.p0150
Subject(s) - robot , electrolyte , automotive engineering , materials science , booster (rocketry) , actuator , electrical engineering , power density , artificial muscle , power (physics) , mechanical engineering , optoelectronics , computer science , engineering , chemistry , aerospace engineering , physics , quantum mechanics , electrode , artificial intelligence
Small fish robots, the size of a killifish – 5 cm long – are potentially in finding disaster victims in flooded areas, because of their ability to navigate narrow confines. Powering such robots, however, becomes a question, since the easiest answer – rechargeable batteries – has low energy density. The “Power Tube” we developed is a small and ultra-light passive-type polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Based on this fuel cell technology, we fabricated a 110 mm fish robot combining a drive, consisting of a DC motor and link, with a Power Tube having a hydrogen generator. We also fabricated an energy-efficient submersible fish robot with neodymium magnets and coil actuators, that methanol-fueled Power Tubes powered with a voltage booster.
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